Troubadour - Calypso meets Modal

Here's a new tune that I wrote entitled Troubadour..there were probably many forces that inspired this one, but Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane come to mind first: where wild Calypso meets "sheets of sound" modal invention. (I've recently started learning to play Tenor Sax, so Rollins and Coltrane are ever present in my daily routine). Besides the tune itself, what makes the piece interesting is that the solo section opens up into two distinct sections - the first section is a rhythmic Lydian jam. In the lead sheet I suggest a sort of Jazzy Calypso bass/drum groove feel, but that could mean just about anything. The transition from that section would be lead, ideally, by the soloist and take us into a contrasting slow/out-of-time minor/modal section- free, open and sparse...and this could gradually lead us back to the main tune. So there are a lot of possibilities and each soloist will undoubtedly have their chance to carve out their own little world.

The demo I made of Troubadour attempts to emulate the overall arc and feel of what I had in mind, but it's just my own limited take, and naturally open for interpretation.

Troubadour - Rob's basement demo rendition (MP3)

Troubadour - B Flat Lead Sheet (PDF)
Troubadour - Concert Lead Sheet (PDF)

As usual, I encourage players (students and/or pros) to download and perform my tunes and Troubadour is no exception. If you do perform Troubadour, please drop me a line and let me know how it went. And for you true giants of Jazz, Troubadour is definitely one to consider for your next CD...hint, hint!

Enjoy,

Rob Birdwell

Sissel's Hideaway - for Early Bird Jazz Band

Here's a new piece entitled "Sissel's Hideaway" which was written specifically for the 2007 version of the Linus Pauling Middle School Early Bird Jazz Band, a before-school ensemble I direct here in Corvallis.

This piece is intended for a young but talented group of players. The lead melody is backed by Latin/Rock rhythm section feel (straight eighths) making it easy to establish a groove. There are two sections that transition to a Swing feel and feature a full Sax soli featurette as well as a full ensemble featurette. Solos are written out and feature the Baritone Sax (or Trombone) and Tenor Sax (or Violin/Concert instrument).

Sissel's Hideway - Score Rendition (MP3) - Approximately 5 minutes total

Sissel's Hideaway - Available Parts & Score

This score can be played with as few as 10 players and still retain a rich sound.

Sissel's Hideaway - Score Excerpt (2 of 9 pages)

Alto Sax 1
Alto Sax 2
Alto Sax 3
Tenor Sax 1
Tenor Sax 2
Baritone Sax
Bass
Drums
Piano
Guitar
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Trumpet 1
Trumpet 2

Additional Parts:

Clarinet
Violin

For more information on this chart, contact Rob Birdwell.

X Factor - a new tune for small combo

I usually write out my tunes first, then record them, but with this particular tune, (entitled "X Factor") I decided to record a simple demo with some percussion, bass, guitar and Flugelhorn. Now that it's scored (and you can download the parts from the links below), I'm pretty happy with the form and chords - the melody is understated...and there's some room to grow (for example when it's arranged for a larger group)...and that's sort of nice I think. In my demo solo (my first real stab at playing through the changes) you can hear that I'm exploring a bit, testing the waters with some ideas, but it's "real" and but a mere moment of making music with the machines in my basement! Naturally, this musical setting will be much more fun to bring to life with the guys in the XTET! There's nothing particularly deep about the title "X Factor" - X is a pretty snazzy little letter (it marks the spot, so they say) and over the last three years I've enjoyed many-a-gig with the XTET guys...and that musical relationship is extremely meaningful and deep- so that's "X Factor" I suppose. Enjoy!

X Factor (MP3 Audio Demo) by Rob Birdwell

X Factor (Bb Flugelhorn Part) by Rob Birdwell

X Factor (Concert Lead Part) by Rob Birdwell

Boogie Boogaloo - Score Demo

In the spirit of the blues, Boogie Boogaloo provides a unique chord progression to blow over with a melody that lays and plays right! Introduce this tune to your small group and get 'em dancing! I encourage public performances of my work...all I ask is that your keep me posted of when and where you perform my work. I'm always interested in live recordings of my tunes, so send me a link if you make a particular hot live recording. And do contact me if you have more "commercial" interests for any of these tunes - I encourage those too!

Boogie Boogaloo - B Flat / Flugelhorn Part, by Rob Birdwell
Boogie Boogaloo -Concert Part, by Rob Birdwell

Blue In You - Score Demo

This tune is evocative of many of the 50's and 60's era Be-Bop and Hard Bop tunes I love. It's pretty fun to play and the chord changes are nice to blow/pluck/hammer over. Download the lead sheets (below) to "Blue In You" and try it out with your own group. The lead sheets are the latest version (revised from the cheesy flash bouncing ball demo), complete with a coda for an ending. Enjoy and let me know if you perform it or want to record it. (That's encouraged!)

Blue In You (Bb Trumpet Part) by Rob Birdwell
Blue In You (Concert Rhythm Section Lead Part) by Rob Birdwell